Kawasaki Mule rebuild!

[Harley Jim]

I purchased a kawasaki mule a few days ago, I looked it over and have decided to do a rebuild of sorts. I can't do a stock restoration on anything, it's just not in me to do that, I have to do it my way!

For reference, This is my 2000 JD LT133 it's on its third hood, y'all know how bad these hood are so I cut down a Massey Ferguson TO35 hood and fixed it, it will never crack again.

So this is the Mule. It's rough but it starts and shifts, it has trouble idling!

I did a bit of an inspection, R. front was locked up, I pulled the hub and found the lining of one shoe rusted to the drum, I peeled it off and put the wheel back on for now,

The fender/cowel supports are rotted.

I cut them off and sent pics and measurements to Alex,he will bend a new set and bring them down tomorrow, he is coming here anyway so it will save me a trip.
The roll bar unbolts so it came off for now also.

I've sprayed everything down with PB Blaster a couple of times today, next week I'll pressure washed everything. I have made a short list and ordered some parts.
More to come. Please tell me what you think about the process, I love constructive criticism, I like opinions, I don't always take them or may alter them but I always discuss them. Thank you all, Jim

 

[EddieWalker]

What year is it? I have a 2011 Transmule this has become difficult to start, but otherwise, still runs fine. I think that they used lawn mower engines in them, and that led to a lot of issues in the Mule's because people drive different then they mow.

 

[mrmikey]

I wish I could find something like that, I enjoy fixing up old, neglected machines. Usually it's not financially sensible but mehhhh, what the heck LOL. There's a young fella on Youtube, 2vintage , he gets some good deals and fixes them up. Seems like a pretty smart fella, usually he comes out the better.

 

[Harley Jim]

What year is it? I have a 2011 Transmule this has become difficult to start, but otherwise, still runs fine. I think that they used lawn mower engines in them, and that led to a lot of issues in the Mule's because people drive different then they mow.

I'm not completely positive yet but I'm thinking 2004 from what I see to compare it with. I should look for a tag!

 

[Harley Jim]

I wish I could find something like that, I enjoy fixing up old, neglected machines. Usually it's not financially sensible but mehhhh, what the heck LOL. There's a young fella on Youtube, 2vintage , he gets some good deals and fixes them up. Seems like a pretty smart fella, usually he comes out the better.

I looked for a long time, I should say I'm always looking for them.
The red one is a 2005 yerf dog scout, I got it for 700 and have put maybe 300 into it, they are selling around here for 2000-2400 so I should make a little on it. The Mule I got for 600, I anticipate putting about 600 into it, it's going to need a full set of tires and wheels, they are in very bad shape, a rough Mule here is going for 3000 so I'll be ok with it also. I won't sell the scout until the Mule is done because Im somewhat disabled and use it a bunch around my neighborhood, I use it daily to go to the neighbors we build custom trikes at his shop and it's easier than loading a truck.

This is our newest trike design.

 

[Harley Jim]

Got it started today! It runs decent so I'll keep moving forward with it.

 

[Harley Jim]

Didn't give up, life got in the way! BRB.

 

[yanmars]

Harley Jim Just curious what State/area you are in?

 

[Harley Jim]

Cleveland Tennessee, at the base of the Appalachian Mountains just outside of the Cherokee National forest.

That's Big Frog mountain about a month ago.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Welcome my mule brother!

I have a 4010 Transaxle Diesel foldable second seat. Love it. We are at about 1050 hrs today on this 2012 model.

Good luck on your project.

 

[yanmars]

Nice looking area. I have a 2510 Mule. Has been a good machine.

 

[Harley Jim]

Welcome my mule brother!

I have a 4010 Transaxle Diesel foldable second seat. Love it. We are at about 1050 hrs today on this 2012 model.

Good luck on your project.

Thank you Brother, I have been busy building trikes for an upcoming show so I'm hoping to get that wrapped up soon and get back to my mule!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Thank you Brother, I have been busy building trikes for an upcoming show so I'm hoping to get that wrapped up soon and get back to my mule!

Very cool I'd love to see some pics of your trikes. Had a friend who built one using a v8 and fabricated many parts or modified existing parts. That was probably 20 years ago and I think he still has his.

 

[Harley Jim]

Thank you. This version is a bit smaller than what most people are used to seeing.

I haven't forgot my Mule!
I have been in the shop! I need to build 14 frames and like total professionals we decided to make a major design change in the 11th hour.

I will be back!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Way cool. I could see me riding one of them, just have to get 3 XL sized seat. Looks great.

I bought a hand pipe bender for my projects list to tackle in my retirement. I used to build climbing tree stands. Your tubing looks thicker than the emt I was using.

I been thinking about converting my 08 goldwing into a trike (if the front are two and rear is one is there a different name than trike? Hmmm). I like that the goldwing transmission has reverse on it and has buku power.
Too many ideas not enough time. For now that work things still gets in the way.

 

[Harley Jim]

That work thing gets worse when you retire, folks tend to think that since you are retired that you can start doing some of there work, since you have so much free time on your hands, be careful who you tell that your retired!
We have a (JD Squared) bender that we modified and with a hydraulic power unit, we designed stop gauges that we can change quickly and help us repeat the same bend multiple times, we use 1½" x 11ga tubing for most all of our parts, this keeps things a simple as we can make it.

Were just little guys but we use factory production methods when we can, since this retirement project has turned into a full time job, unfortunately!
I do think that yours will still be titled as a trike, but around here they call them a reverse trike.
I wanted to convert my road king to a double trike, or a four wheeler might be a better name. I thought it would be a cool project but someone offered me more for it than I thought it was worth so it left.
A reverse gold wing trike would be a nice ride!

 

[Harley Jim]

Got these done today, got about 40 trikes and frames loaded into the trailer and I'm headed to the Emerald Coast cruise in, in Panama city Florida tomorrow, the show is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Hopfully Ill sell a bunch and then I can get back to my mule rebuild! This work stuff keeps getting into my play time!

 

[EddieWalker]

I never saw anything like those bikes. They remind me of a Big Wheel from the 70's when I was a kid. Is there a lot of beer involved when driving them?

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I could see something like those with tractor type wheels, and a draw bar that could compete in sub-mini/lawnmower tractor pulls .

 

[Harley Jim]

Eddie, not when I'm driving, mine will run 40mph, several of my customers have made them street legal. I do have a Jack and Coke after a long hard ride though!
The yellow one is a drift trike, there are pvc plastic sleeves that go on the rear tires to allow them to spin, we have shriners that use them for parade vehicles.
The blue one is a custom builds for a man that only has one arm, it has foot controls.

Part time farmer, I could see that working, remove the differential and use a live axle, They have torque converter type clutches so they hook up real good.